Identification of Armillaria nabsnona in Gastrodia tubers

The symbiosis between Armillaria species and an achlorophylous orchid Gastrodia elata BLUME has been reported. The main species described as a symbiont is Armillaria mellea (VAHL: FR.) KUMMER, known widely as a primary root rot pathogen. Samples collected from the rhizomorphs attached to the tuber of G. elata were separated and analyzed. Molecular analysis based on sequencing of the intergenic spacer 1 (IGS-1) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was performed, coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the IGS-1 region. Cultural morphology and features of basidiomata were also used to characterize the isolates. Phylogenetic analysis and morphological data strongly suggested that the fungus present in the tubers of G. elata is Armillaria nabsnona. This is the first report of occurrence of this Amrillaria species in association with G. elata.